"Walk for life”2010
The "walk for life” program in support of October International Breast Cancer Awareness Month was held on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at Meskel Square, here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. More than 1,200 people took part including H.E, Mr.Berhane Deressa, former Mayor of Addis Ababa, popular singer Mr.Tamerat Molla and representatives from various organizations working on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Invited guests of sponsoring organizations, cancer patients and survivors, large numbers of students from various schools, members, friends and supporters of our society also took part and actively participated in the program. Following a briefing on cancer in general and breast cancer in particular by Dr.Bogale Solomon, the only Senior Oncologist here in Ethiopia, personal testimony and very emotional speeches were delivered by cancer survivors and patients and their families, a poem that followed afterwards helped to transform the program into one of the most inspirational and educational event of its kind ever held here in Addis Ababa.
Thanks to Mr.Tamerat Molla, a well known singer, Mrs.Wossen Mulugeta, a newly wed Ethiopian from Houston, Texas, U.S.A and her very supportive husband, Mr.Henok, and others, for the first time in our history, after many years of concerted effort, we finally managed to break the deadlock of damaging myths and misconceptions about the disease and presented testimony of cancer survivors to thousands of participants and through the media to millions of the general public. The cancer survivors, particularly Mrs.Wossene, emotionally presented very valuable and inspiring information on the need for public attitudes towards cancer improve, and for damaging myths and misconceptions about the disease are dispelled.
Cancer is known in Ethiopia as a deadly disease without cure. Because of this, cancer patients and their families are forced to believe that they are doomed and have no future at all. Cancer is not only a disease of the body, it affects the mind and the soul, and it also destroys the economic well-being. MWECS commits itself to provide support to patients , their families , caregivers , volunteers and the society at large with a holistic focus on treatment , better nutrition , awareness raising , advocacy for policy changes , networking , solidarity with these affected by cancer , hope for survivors and honor and eternal remembrance for those who have lost their battle with cancer.
In general, Ethiopia lacks sufficient facility and personnel to treat cancer patients. All kinds of cancer patients are flocking to Black Lion Hospital from all over the country. This trend must be resolved in the future and a concerted effort must be geared toward placing efficient service for cancer patients at their nearest location and regions. It is our firm belief and hope that a cancer ward and National Cancer Institute of Ethiopia will be established in the future to challenge cancer in a more meaningful way.
Based on these considerations, Mathiwos Wondu- Ye Ethiopia Cancer Society (MWECS) has declared its commitment to become actively involved in assisting the government in every possible way, to help make a difference in the outcome of a cancer awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment and to take part in the national effort, by filling the gaps that the government alone is not in a position to handle.
Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas.Prognosis and survival rate varies greatly depending on cancer type and staging. Computerized models are available to predict survival. With best treatment and dependent on staging, 10-year disease-free survival varies from 98% to 10%. Treatment includes surgery, drugs (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), and radiation.
Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 10.4% of all cancer incidences among women, making it the most common type of non-skin cancer in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2004, breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths). Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than in men, although males tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.
Some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone, which make it possible to treat them by blocking the effects of these hormones in the target tissues. These have better prognosis and require less aggressive treatment than hormone negative cancers.
Breast cancers without hormone receptors, or which have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits, or which express certain genetic characteristics, are higher-risk, and are treated more aggressively. One standard regimen, popular in the U.S., is cyclophosphamide plus doxorubicin (Adriamycin), known as CA; these drugs damage DNA in the cancer, but also in fast-growing normal cells where they cause serious side effects. Sometimes a taxane drug, such as docetaxel, is added, and the regime is then known as CAT; taxane attacks the microtubules in cancer cells. An equivalent treatment, popular in Europe, is cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF). Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), are used for cancer cells that have the HER2 mutation. Radiation is usually added to the surgical bed to control cancer cells that were missed by the surgery, which usually extends survival, although radiation exposure to the heart may cause damage and heart failure in the following years.
Ribbons have been used to express solidarity on the part of the wearer with the identified cause since the early to late 20th Century. Pink Ribbons (and the color pink) are used to express support for those who are diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. The next year, Alexandra Penney, who was the editor-in-chief of Self, a woman health magazine, was working on the second annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. Evelyn Lauder, who was the senior corporate vice president at Estée Lauder, was invited to be the guest editor of the NBCAM issue edition in 1992. Penney and Lauder came up with the idea to create a ribbon and to enlist the cosmetics giant to distribute it in stores in New York City.
Charlotte Hayley, who battled breast cancer, produced peach color ribbons. She sold them with a card saying, "The National Cancer Institute annual budget is 1.8 billion US Dollars, and only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon" Her message spread fast. This made Penny and Evelyn Lauder interested in Hayley's concept. They offered to adapt Hayley's idea by working with her. However, Hayley rejected the offer, saying that they were too commercial.
After discussing opportunities with Lauder, Hayley and their lawyers, they came up with a "new" color. The new color of the ribbon was pink and became an international symbol for breast cancer awareness. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Breast_Cancer_Awareness_Month).
A recent WHO report states that by 2010 cancer deaths will surpass heart disease as a leading cause of death worldwide. This is attributed to the increased use of tobacco in the developing world, obesity and sedentary lifestyles, change in nutrition and incidence of HIV/AIDS related cancers. At the same time developing countries particularly are very ill equipped to deal with the expected increase in cancer cases. By 2020, three of every 5 (or 60-70%) new cancer cases will occur in the developing World. Cancer kills one in eight or 13% of those who die worldwide and claims twice as many lives as HIV/AIDS. The report also provides evidence that healthy life styles and coordinated action by governments and health practitioners could curb this trend and prevent one third of cancers worldwide. Healthier lifestyles and public health actions by all concerned bodies can prevent as many as 40% of cancers worldwide .It is also possible to improve the survival rates of people living with cancer.
Dr.Bogale Solomon, the only Senior Oncologist in Ethiopia giving short briefing on breast cancer.
Mr.Tamerat Molla, a well-known musician became the first Ethiopian male cancer survival braves enough to come out publicly and share his experience.
Mrs.Wossen Mulugeta, a newly wed, Ethiopian from Houston, Texas, U.S.A with her very supportive husband, Mr.Henok, far right became the first Ethiopian female breast cancer survivor emotionally presented very valuable and inspiring information on the need to Public attitudes towards cancer improved and damaging myths and misconceptions about the disease be dispelled.
Representatives of Associations working on NCDs (Cancer, Heart, Diabetes and Kidney), jointly established consortium showing their solidarity and united front against NCDs in general and cancer in particular.
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H.E, Mr.Berhane Deressa, former Mayor of Addis Ababa, presenting official remark.
Mr.Seid Ali, Chairman of General Assembly of MWECS presenting closing remarks.
According to progress report, 2010 of WHO-IAEA joint programme on cancer control, cancer is one the leading causes of mortality worldwide. In 2004, 7.4 million deaths (about 13% of all deaths) were attributed to this disease. The loss of life from cancer is projected to rise to an estimated 12 million deaths annually by 2030.
Cancer disproportionately affects low and middle-income (LMI) countries. Nearly 70% of cancer deaths currently occur in LMI countries, mainly owing to population ageing and increased exposure to risk factors of cancer. Worldwide, NCDs, including cancer; account for 60% of global deaths, however, just 0.9% of the US $22 billion spent on health by international aid agencies in developing countries is spent on NCDs.
According to World Cancer Report, over two-third of cancers worldwide are due to known risk factors and potentially avoidable. These modifiable risk factors include infectious agents, tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. Therefore, there is clear scientific evidence that public health actions that promote healthy lifestyles could prevent a large proportion of cancer cases and deaths.
However, most people remain unaware of how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer and very little has been done to change this by public health agencies in most developing countries, including Ethiopia. In this respect, our Society is convinced that cancer is preventable and, curable if detected early and treated properly.
This wonderful event, the overall objective of which will be to enhance the awareness of the Society of cancer in general and breast cancer in particular, believed to be very effective in reducing the overall cancer burden has been widely reported by the Ethiopian and foreign media.
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